ABERDEEN, S.D.(Aberdeen American News)- Parents dropping off their kids at Simmons Middle School and Simmons Elementary Tuesday morning maneuvered around some unexpected water.

The water came from a “blow out” in a 4-foot section of the 10-inch water main on South Third Street.

Assistant Public Works Director Jeromy Thorstenson said the water main is near a major water transmission line for the city and close to one of the city’s water towers. So, he said, employees at the city’s Water Treatment Tower noticed the issue when they saw water tower levels dropping faster than normal.

By 7:30 a.m. the water was flooding South Third Street in front of Simmons Middle School, and extended along 12th Avenue Southwest into South Second Street. But it quickly receded as street crews reached the area and started shutting off the water.

Water covered the sidewalks in some places, but did not appear to flood buildings.

In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon, Thorstenson said repairs to the water main and maintenance on a water valve were expected to be completed by the end of the day with water service restored and the streets reopen when work is completed.

While there were classes at Simmons Middle School and Simmons Elementary School, parents were alerted by the school district about a water main break at the intersection of South Third Street and 12th Avenue Southwest. And city residents received a text alert notifying them that water was off for residents at the intersection of South Third Street and 12th Avenue Southwest.

That intersection was closed while work was being done. So was 12th Avenue from South Second Street to South Fifth Street and South Third Street between 11th and 13th avenues southwest.